Finding Area by Counting Unit Squares

Khan Academy

This educational video introduces early learners to the concept of area through the visual method of tiling. Using a digital blackboard format, the narrator presents two yellow rectangular outlines partially filled with green unit squares. The objective is to determine the total number of green squares required to completely fill the yellow shapes without any gaps or overlapping. The video explores key themes of geometry, spatial reasoning, and measurement. It demonstrates how a larger two-dimensional space can be measured by counting the number of smaller, uniform units that fit inside it. The process emphasizes counting strategies and visual completion of patterns, moving from a smaller 2x3 rectangle to a larger 3x3 square. For educators, this video serves as an excellent conceptual foundation for teaching area before introducing formulas. It allows students to visualize 'area' as a covering of space rather than just an abstract calculation. The clear, step-by-step narration and drawing make it ideal for pausing to allow students to predict the total number of squares, fostering engagement and estimation skills in K-2 mathematics classrooms.